Packing sheet



Sept- 17. 1940- w. H. RANDALL ET AL 2,215,252

' PACKING SHEET I Filed Aug. .3, 1956 ,5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 17, 1940.

W. H. RANDALL ET AL.

PACKING SHEET Filed Aug. :5, 195s s'sneets-sheei 2 lid? Sept 17, 1940 w.'||. RANDALL Er AL 2,215,252

PACKING SHEET Filed Aug. 3, 19:56 s sheets-snee*L s i. 42 haven/:hors 160- Mez'hlaudall WaIIaceEPans'aas Mzn'enl'chwertfgger Sept- 17 l940- w, H, RANDALL ET A L. 2,215,252 l PACKING SHEET Filed Aug. 3, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 flfaerllchwertfgger marl@ Sept. 17, 1940- w. H. RANDALL .Er A1. 2,215,252

. l PACKING SHEETv Filed'Aug. 5, 195'@ 5`sneets;sneet sv ffy.

'Patented Sept. 17, 1940 PACKING SHEET walter n. ammi ad Wannee E. renom, waterville, Malne, and Walter J. Schwertfeger, Westf Englewood, N. J., assignors, by meme enligne ments, to The Canal National'Bank of Port land, Portland, Maine, a national'banking asv sociation of the United States, as trustee Application August 3,1936, serial No. 93,938 .z3 claim (ci. zii-zo) This invention relates to packing material in the form of sheets or pads adapted to be used in shipping cases to protect the case contentsl against damage.

Our packing material is particularly intended for use in connection with' the shipment in shipping cases of a plurality of individual containers, as cans for instances, although its principles ap- -p ly'to other forms of individual containers, as

bottles, jars, and the like.

For the purposes of this application, however, we shall discuss our invention as a packing medium for canned goods, it being understood that such discussion is illustrative and not limiting.

Customarily a definite number of cans (two dozen for example) are packed on end in a shipping case. Such shipping case may be of any usual construction and material, and the cans may be packed on end therein in any desired ar- `20 rangement and in one or more layers, depending upon the number of cans, the size of the shipping case and the prevailing trade practice.

In loading and unloading the shipping cases from the freight car or truck, and while the shipping cases are in transit, the cases are subjected to innumerable shocks and vibrations.

Among other eiects, such shocks cause the cans to move laterally relative to one another within the shipping case with resultant damage to the cans themselves. This is particularly true where the cans are packed in the conventional cardboard of fibre board carton which from the very nature of the material used is somewhat flexible and will stretch or yield under the shocks of railroad or truck transportation.

Where cans are packed in shipping cases and particularly in cardboard or fibreboard cartons, without providing some means other than the walls of the shipping case itself for restraining the cans against relative lateral movement within the shipping case, the shocks of transportation usually or often result in chime dents or body dents adjacent to the chimes in the cans.

Our invention contemplates a packing medium in-the form of a sheet or pad which will prevent or largely minimize the lateral movement of the cans within the shipping case with consequent damage to the cans. More specifically it contemplates a packing sheet or pad which is inexpensive of manufacture and effective in use and which may be used in the shipping case without requiring any change in the normal and ordinary method of packing or unpacking the case, or any change in the case dimensions.

As illustrative of the principles of our invention we show in the accompanying drawingssveral embodiments of our invention intended to be used as a packing sheet together with certain modifications thereof which will readily suggest to those skilled in the art the manypossibilities 5 for change of design to take care of some particular packing condition.

In the drawings: j

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a conventional shipping case which may be considered as a standard fibre board carton. such carton containing at least two layers of individual con- 'tainers, indicated in elevation and here shown as cans, and the layers being separated from each other and the individual cans -centered and restrained against lateral movement by our novel packing sheet or pad.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of such pad removed.

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 particularly showing the supporting; centering and restraining action of the pad in respect to a superposed pair of cans, indicated in broken lines, in the position they occupy when 25 the shipping case is closed.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view showing` a modification of the center pad illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive. f

Fig. 6 isa cross section on lthe line 6-6 of Fig. 30 15. and showing a superposed pair of cans in broken mes. t

Fig. 'I is a partial section showing astill fur- ,i ther modification especially adapted for use asV an end pad which may be positioned at leither the top or bottom end, orxboth, of the shipping case, the view being taken on approximately the line 1-1 of Fig. 8. I

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of remOVed.

Figs. 9 andr 10 are cross sectionsv on the .lines 9-9 and Ill-I0 respectively of Fig. 8.v

Figs. 11 to 14 inclusive are fragmentary top plan views showing still further modications of our invention'useful as center pads, and 4 Figs. 15 to 18 inclusive are sections on the lines I5-I5 of Fig. 1l, IB-IB of Fig. 12, I1-I1 of Fig.

13 and I8-l8 of Fig. 14 respectively.

In the form of our invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, wherein we have 4illustrated a 50 center packing or pad adapted to be interposed between superposed layers of ycans or other individual containers in a shipping case, such pad consistsof a sheet of suitable material such as molded pulp, having formed therein during the he pad of Fig. 7

ing seats coincide with the centers of said up-` wardly extending seats, and the design' and'arrangement cf the two sets of seating formations is is such as to support the cans in the superposed layers at distances suillciently above and below the sheet as to space the opposing can chimes slightly away from the sheet and thus avoid.

danger of the sheet being cut by scissors action of said chimes.

In addition to their functions of centering and supporting the cans in their respective positions and restraining them against lateral movement within the shipping case, the several sets ofvformations impart rigidity'and stiffness to the sheet as a whole and minimize` excessive shrinkage thereof during drying.

We have designated our novel center pad generally at Il in Figs. 1 to 6. It is of a size approxi- `mately corresponding to the inside dimensions of the shipping case II and is intended to be interposed between the upper and lower can layers I2 and I3, respectively, of the case or other individual containers packed within the u oise. i

symmetrically arranged, preferably in intersecting rows, over the upper face of the sheet is a pluralityof spaced supporting surfaces I4 raised above the plane Ia-IQ of the sheet.

These correspond generally to the placement of the cans or other containers within the shipping case and provide cushion supports which substantially conform to the bottom ends Il of the upper layer I2 of cans resting thereon.

Spacing the elevated can seats I4 from each other is a plurality of sets of centering and restraining posts or equivalent formations Il, I1 and Il, likewise raised above the plane of the sheet and arranged in intersecting rows over the upper face thereof.

'Ihe set of`posts Il included between the marginal edges of the sheet are full posts and as here shown have a generally square outline. The set of posts I'I at the marginal edges of the sheet are half-posts and as here shown have'a generally triangular outline. The posts Il at the four corners of the sheet are preferably in the form oi' studs or knobs of relatively small'area,

and as here shown are generally oval in outline. so The tops of the posts It and I1 may be substantially co-planar with the tops of the can seats I4 but are shown in Figs. 3 and 4' as slightly higher than said seats. 'Ihe corner posts Il as here shown, are considerably lower than said IIB seats I4. l

The side walls II of the can seats Il are inclined downwardly and outwardly. The side walls 22 of the several sets of posts I6. I'I and It are inclined in a direction opposite to the 10 inclination of the side walls 2 I.l

The material of the sheet between the supports I 4 and the several sets of posts is extended downwardly below the plane of the sheet to form on the upper face of the sheet annular depressions 7g Il enclosing the seats I4 and concentric thereto.

On the under face of the sheet these depressions 23 form substantially dat supporting or cushioning rings 24 which when the sheet is` placed on the lower can layer Il ilt the upper ends 2! of the cans in said lower layer with the 5 chimeslll at the upper ends of said cans centered and restrained against lateralvshifting movementby the inclined outer edges 2l of said cushioning rings 24. l

In packing the case of Fig. l the lower can l0 layer I3 is first placed in position on the bottom of the case. The packing sheet I0 is next placed on the upper ends of the cans in the lower can layer Il with the cushioning rings 24 on the under face of said sheet disposed against the 1B upper-,ends 25 of said can layer. The upper can layer' Ai then placed on the sheet I0 with the lower ends I i of the cans in said layer -resting .on the elevated can seats I4 which thus carry shipping case. The engagement ofthe chimes U 30 at the upper ends of the lower. can layer Il" with the inclined outer edges 2l of the cushion-A ing rings 24 effectively centers the lower can layer on said rings and prevents lateral shiftingmovement of said cans relative thereto, the inu clination of said edges 2l being slightly greater than that of the inside wall of the chime ll so that the pad may be more rapidly 'centered on the cans of the lower can layer I3.

By reference to Fig. 4 it will be noted that the u opposing chimes 2l and Il are prevented from .coming into pressure contact with the sheet at 21. with resultant danger of the cans cutting through the. sheet by scissors action during handling and shipment of the case; that the cans in the two layers are positively held in the relative positions which they are to 'occupy with respect to each otherlinthe case and damage to the cans, due to unrestrained lateral shifting move' ment thereof during handling and shipment. is n greatly minimized if not entirely eliminated; and that due to the circumstance that the elevated can seats I4 carry the weiilht of the cans in the upper layer, with the chimes Il slightly spaced away fro'm the sheet itself, such weight is transu mitted directly to the lower can layer through the inclined walls 2|' of the seats I4 and the depressed annular ring seats 24, a'nd thus affording a cushion effect between the two layers of cans.

Although especially designed for use as an inn termediate or center pad between superposed layers, it is obvious that the pad of Figs. 1 to 4 may be used as an end pad at either the top or bottom or both of the case.

In the modification of Figs. 5 and 6, we show a variant of the pad of Figs. l to 4, wherein the centering and restraining posts, or 4certain of them, are formed to provide upwardly and downwardly extending locking projections adapted to engage and restrain the cans in both can layers 7u I2 and I3 against lateral movement.

In this lform of our invention, the supports for the lower ends of the upper can layer I2 are shown as each including an elevated ring 3| on the upper face loi the sheet enclosing a central elen 'cit vated stud 32,. there being an annular depressed portion 33 separating each ring and stud, and said depressed portions 33 forming on the under- `face of the sheet rings 34 against which the upper ends of the abut.

Sets of elevated centering and restraining posts I8', I1' and I8 corresponding in location to the sets of posts I 6, I1 and I8 of Figs. 1 to 4 are also provided on the upper face of the sheet.

'I'he posts I6 include two spaced upwardly extending portions IGa and lsb, and two spaced downwardly extending portions IBc and I6d, the portions Ilia and I6b being disposed in one axis of the sheet and being separated by the portions I8c and IGd which are disposed in the other axis of the sheet, and the alternately upwardly and downwardly extending portions of said posts centering and restraining the cans of both layers against lateral shifting movement by contact therewith, as best shown in Fig. 6.

Such action is also accomplished by the posts I'I' and I8. 'I'he posts I 'I' likewise include a downwardly extending portion I 'Ia and an upwardly extending portion IIb. The four corner posts I8' as here shown all extend downwardly (see Fig. 6).

A still further variant of the pad of Figs. 1 to 4 is illustrated in Figs. 7 to 10. In these iigures we have adapted our pad especially for use as an end pad at either the bottom or top ends, or both, of the shipping case, or in combination with a center pad such as shown in Figs. 1 to 6 and 11 to 18.

In Fig. '7, such end pad, indicated generally at is shown as a bottom pad placed in the bottom of the case and supporting the cans. It may be used as a top pad by simply reversing. it and placing it on the tops of the cans at the top of the case. In either use, its action, in so far as preventing damage to the cans is concerned, is the same.

By reference to Fig. 8, which is a plan view of the upper face of such end pad, the supports for the lower ends of the cans (considering the pad as a. bottom pad) include each an elevated ring 35 on the upper face of the sheet enclosing a central elevated stud 36, there being an annular depressed portion `3'I separating each ring and stud.

Sets of elevated posts IGI), II and |80 corresponding in location to the posts I6, II and I8 are also provided on the upper face of the sheet.

cans in the lower can layer I3 In use (as a bottom pad) the bottom ends of t lthe cans, the bottom* chimes of the cans fitting over the outer edges of the rings without cutting contact on the sheet itself, and the cans being guided to their seats 35-38 and centered and restrained against lateral movement by the inclined side walls of lboth the supporting rings 35 and the centering and restraining posts (see Fig. 10), the chimes being slightly spaced from the sheet to avoid cutting of the sheet thereby.

Where the pad of- Figs. '7 to 10 is used, however, with a shipping container of the carton type having at one or both ends foldable flaps, as the outer i'laps 31 and the inner flaps 38, the inner aps of such carton when turned inI do not meet or abut each other, but leave an open space between their opposing edges as shown in Fig. '7, which space is overlapped by the outer aps 31 when they are folded in and sealed down to complete the closing of the top or bottom of the carton.

Such open space leaves an unsupported section or area beneath the pad which, unless supported by some form of supporting posts projecting below the plane of the pad, would allow the pad to'sag in this area.

Accordingly, we drop portions of the pad in this area a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the inner ilaps 38 whereby to provide supporting projections which rest on the outer flaps 31 of the carton and compensate for the lack of support oered by the inner flaps 38 at this open space.

'I'his may be variously accomplished. As here shown the portions 42 and 43 of the pad lying between the spaced parallel designating lines 40 (Fig. 8), which lines represent the width of the open space between the inturned inner iiaps 38 of the carton, is depressed. rI'hese depressed portions 42 and 43 form on the under face of the pad supporting projections 4I (see Figs. '7 and 10) whichextend below the plane of the pad a distance substantially equal in height to the thickness of the inner flaps 38, and bottom on the outside flaps 31.

In order to strengthen and stiffen the pad in the area thus dropped or lowered, we may, if desired, connect the studs 38 and rings 35 in this area by raised stiiening ribs 4I'. The tops of these are substantially coplanar with the rings 35 and with said rings and studs support the bottoms of the rows of cans in this area.

In the forms of our invention illustrated in Figs-11 to 18 inclusive, the supports for the cans on both sides of the sheet also provide means for centering and restraining both layers of cans against lateral movement.

In Figs. 11 and 12 the several elevated can supporting seats I4 present on the upper surface of the sheet a plurality of upstanding sector-shaped supporting portions I4a which are spaced by a plurality of downwardly extending sector-shaped portions I4b.

As appears from Fig. 15 the lower ends of the upper can layer are supported above the plane of the sheet by the raised sector shaped portions I4a and the upper ends of the lower can layer abut the lower faces of the depressed sector shaped portions I 4b, the chimes of the cans in both layers fitting around the arcual edges of the portions I4a and |4b respectively thus restraining the cans from lateral motion, and said chimes themselves being slightly spaced away from the surface of the sheet itself so as to avoid pressure contact therewith.

The same general thought is exemplified in the form of Figs. 12, 13 and 14.

In Fig. 12 we have shown a pad especially intendedV for packing square or rectangular cans. In this form the outline of each individual supporting and centering formation is square or rectangular and presents an upstanding supporting surface I4c, here shown as cruciform; the material of the sheet at the corners thereof being depressed downwardly below the plane of the sheet as indicated at I4d. See also Fig. 16.

In Fig. 13 the arrangement is one of alternate parallel supporting ribs I4e raised above the plane of the sheet and spaced apart by intervening depressed portions I4f extending below the plane of the sheet. See also Fig. 17.

In Fig. 14 the arrangement is that of an annular ring divided into segments which are alternately raised above the plane of the sheet as at lla and below the plane of the sheet as at Mh..

In all formsthe raised centering post portions Il, I1 and i6 shown in Figs. 1 to 6 may or may not be used depending upon the particular style of can and conditions of packing. These posts, however, are of value in packing the upper layer of cans in that they assist in rapidly centering the can on the supporting sheet.

The several sheets are nestable with similar sheets for purposes of shipment and storage, and where made of molded pulp may be produced at the minimum manufacturing cost while at the 'same time being of ample strength and rigidity to perform their intended functions.

In addition the use of such packing sheets or pads enables the shipper to employ a lighter weight stock for the material of the shipping carton itself, thus reducing by so much the cost of the cartons.

Various other modifications in the construction, arrangement and uses may obviously be resorted to within the spirit and scope of our invention as defined by the appended claims.

What we therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Means for supporting a layer of cans within a shipping case and for restraining the individual cans against relative lateral movement therein, consisting of a sheet having distributed over one face thereof a plurality oi? regularly spaced formations extending beyond the plane of guides adapted to be contacted by the chimes at said adjacent ends of the cans whereby to center the cans on said first-named formations and constituting restraining elements for preventing lateral shifting movement of the cans within the shipping case.

2. 'Ihe sheet of claim 1, the first-named formations extending a distance beyond the plane of the sheet suiiicient to prevent the chimes of the cans from coming into pressure contact with the material of the sheet. p

3. A packing medium adapted to be interposed between superposed layers of cans in a shipping case to restrain the individual cans against lateral movement therein, consisting of a sheet having distributed over itsl upper face a plurality of raised, regularly spaced formations for supporting the lower ends of theupper can layer above the plane of the sheet, a plurality'of raised regularly spaced can-centering and restraining 'formations disposed between said supporting formations and adapted to be contacted by the chimes at the lower ends of the cans in the upper can layer whereby to center said cans on said supporting formations and to restrain said cans against lateral shifting movement within the same, the material of the sheet adjacent said supporting formations being depressed below the plane of the sheet and forming on the under surface thereof a plurality of spaced seating and restraining members against `which the upper ends of the cans in a lower can layer are adapted to abut.

4. The sheet of claim 3, the supporting formations on the upper face of the sheet and the seating and restraining formations on the under face of the sheet extending distances beyond the plane of the sheet sufficient to prevent the can chimes of both layers of cans from coming into pressure contact with the sheet.

5. The packing of claim 3, certain of said centering and restraining formations having portions thereof extending downwardly below the plane of the sheet to provide means for restraining the upper ends of the lower can layer against lateral shifting movement.

6. As a packing medium adapted to be placed across an end of a shipping case which has inner and outer foldable flaps adapted to be overlapped between said supporting formations and adapted to be contacted by the chimes at the lower ends of the cans whereby to center the cans in position on said supporting formations and to restrain them against lateral shifting movement within the case, the area of the sheet which is substantially coextensive with thespace separating the inner fiaps of the shipping case having portions thereof depressed below the plane of the sheet a distance corresponding substantially to the thickness of said inner flaps to provide on the under face of the sheet a plurality of supporting projections effective to prevent sagging of the sheet in such region.

'1. The sheet of claim 6, each supporting formation comprising a central stud and an annular ring concentric therewith.

8. A can pad consisting of a sheet having on its upper face a preformed raised supporting formation on which substantially the entire weight of a can is carried with the chime of the can spaced away from pressure contact with the sheet, and a plurality of preformed raised reguvlarly spaced formations surrounding the same and constituting guides for centering acan on said supporting formation and constituting restraining elements for restraining the same against lateral shifting movement.

9. I'he can pad of claim 8, th`e material of the sheet ladjacent said supporting formation being depressed below the plane of the sheet and one face thereof a raised formation constituting both a support for supporting a can above the plane of the sheet and a guide and restraining element for guiding the can to its seat and for restraining it against lateral shifting movement. the bottom of the canresting on the raised formation which supports substantially the entire weight thereon and spaces the chime of the can from the sheet to prevent pressure contact therewith. 4

11. 'Ihe pad of claim 10, said formation having a portion extending below the'plane of the sheet and constituting a guidingand restraining element for a subjacent can.

12. The sheet of claim 6, said first-named l formations extending a distance above the plane from coming into pressure contact with the material of the sheet.

14. The pad of claim 10, said formation extending a distance above the plane of the sheet sucient to prevent the chime of the can from coming into pressure contact with the material of the sheet.

15. A can pad comprising a sheet having on its upper face an upwardly extending formation for supporting an upper can above the plane of the sheet and on its under face a downwardly extending formation fitting the adjacent end of a lower can alined with said upper can, said upwardly and downwardly extending formations providing means for centering and restraining the cans against lateral shifting movement and extending sufficient distances above and below the plane of the sheet, respectively, to prevent the chimes of the alined cans from coming into pressure contact with the material of the sheet.

16. In combination with a. shipping container having inner and outer closure aps for the bottom thereof, there being a space between the opposing edges of the inner aps to form a depression, an article supporting sheet positioned within the container and resting on the inner naps, projections extending upwardly from said sheet to form separating devices for articles placed thereon, said sheet having portions thereof, in the region of the depression, projecting downwardly below the plane of .the sheet a distance sufcient to permit such projecting portions torest on the bottom of the depression thereby providing means to prevent the sheet from sagging in the region of the depression.

17. A separator for horizontal disposition in aA shipping container between two layers of cans having recessed ends, comprising a single sheet of molded'brous pulp material of substantially uniform thickness having performed means projecting from one side and fitted for engagement with the recessed ends Vof the cans of the lower layer and having preformed means projecting from the other side and tted for engagement within the recessed lower ends of the cans of the upper layer, said projecting means on the two sides being so arranged relative to one another that the cans in the two layers are maintained in substantial alinement vertically.

18. A separator for horizontal disposition in a shipping container between two layers ofcans comprising a sheet of material having a plurality of upstanding projections engageable with spaced portions of the lower end of each can in the upper layer, said sheet having a plurality of depending projections from its lower side, staggered with respect to the projections on the upper side, engageable with spaced portions of the upper end of each can in the lower layer, said projections on the two sides being so arranged relative to one another as to maintain the cans in the two layers in substantial alinement vertically, the staggering of the projections on the two sides of the sheet providing for manufacture of the separator by a pulp molding process.

19. A separator for horizontal disposition in a shipping container between two layers of cans having recessed ends comprising a' single sheet of molded fibrous pulp material of substantially uniform thickness having a plurality of performed projections on one side tted to and engageable with spaced exterior portions of the end of each can in one layer, said sheet having other preformed projections on its other side fitted to and engageable with the recesses of the ends of the cans in the other layer, said projections on the two sides of the sheet being so arranged relative to one another as to maintain the cans in the two layers in substantial alinement vertically.

20. In combination with a shipping container having a bottom provided with overlapping closure flaps wherein a pair of said iaps terminate short of meeting to form a depression, an article supporting sheet positioned on said bottom, and means depending from the lower side of said sheet and fitting in said depression on the bottom of the shipping container to maintain the sheet and articles thereon in level condition notwithstanding said depression.

21. A separator for use in a shipping container forpacking cans having rounded side walls and circular lower ends provided with depending rims, each can having a iiat bottom within said rim, comprising a single sheet of molded fibrous pulp material of substantially uniform thickness having a plurality of preformed portions tted to and engaging within the rims of said cans and abutting the bottoms thereof, said base sheet also being formed with grooves for receiving the can rims, the grooves for adjacent cans being intercommunicating at certain points whereby 1 side portions of the cans are in substantial juxtaposition throughout their height to provide for compact packing thereof.

22. A separator for use in packing substantially cylindrical articles in containers comprising a base sheet having a plurality of spaced engaging members projecting from a side thereof, some of said engaging members being each formed with four curved sides and each of said last mentioned engaging members fitting in the waste space between four adjacent cylindrical articles with each of said curved sides embracing a curved side portion of a different one of said articles, each of said engaging members having pointed end portions which are spaced from the similar pointed end portions of another engaging member whereby adjacent cylindrical articles may be packed close to one another.

23.- A separator for use in packingsubstantially cylindrical articles in containers comprising a base sheet having a plurality of spaced engaging members projecting from the upper side thereof, some of said engaging members being each formed with four curved sides and each of said last mentioned engaging members fitting in the waste space between four adjacent cylindrical articles with each of said curved sides embracing a curved side portion of a different one of said articles, each of said engaging members having pointed end portions which are spaced from the similar pointed end portions of another engaging member whereby adjacent cylindrical articles may be packed close to one another, said engaging members being of separated fragmentary form with spaced alternating portions thereof projecting from the lower side of the sheet to provide means for similar engagement with the upper ends of cylindrical articles below the sheet.

WALTER H. RANDALL. WALLACE E. PARSONS. WALTER J. SCHWERTFEGER. 

